Really digging this middle third of the mix

@moodpilotuniversal: it's this one but i did a small edit menelaostomasides.bandcamp.com/track/comes

MDC Mix Archive

"Good thoughts bring forth good fruit" (George Clinton, 1974)
Surprising connections between different selections, ear-pleasing explorations crossing global borders, timeless decades and different foundations.
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"I recorded this mix on a cozy evening with my favourite bottle of red & some nice mood lighting after a lovely trip back from Vinly-Vanguard in east London. A record shop run by 2 jazz enthusiasts with a fine taste for wax. Funnily enough 90% of tracks in this mix I discovered there over the years. Hope ya enjoy these spaced-out Jazzadelic flutey dub mellow grooves in good fruit style!  Peace x" - Kyle Toole

@kyletoole

Good Fruit 20 I Kyle Toole

Time for round 2! 

For the second podcast of our series An Affair with... we invited a good friend of the collective: Gamine. Get lost in this spooky selection by one of our favourite musical wizards 👽

Keep an eye on our socials as well because we have some exciting news coming up for the summer...

@gamine94

An Affair with Gamine

Melina Serser live from Outburst on Saturday afternoon at Houghton 2024.

Recorded at Houghton - Melina Serser (2024)

The first entry in this year’s Virtual Utopia program comes from the Australian-born, Berlin-based duo, Daisy Records (@daisyrecordsmelbourne). Mitch and Obelix have crafted an entrancing 2.5-hour journey that weaves through downtempo, house, ambient techno, and trance -all infused with a shimmering ambiance that radiates warmth and positivity. Each track carries an ethereal beauty, enveloping the listener in a calming softness that invites them to close their eyes and drift peacefully through the inner, and outer reaches of their minds. 

Daisy Records are true masters at capturing a sense of ethereal spaciousness, delivering a sonic palette that soothes the mind and cleanses the spirit. This mix offers listeners the space to let their thoughts flow gently downstream, while their atoms dissipate, floating aimlessly yet never lost, free from the need for a destination.

Every sense is blissfully engaged here—vibrant colors, cooling winds, the fresh scent of life, and the harmonious soundscape of a flourishing Earth. A temporary window into the unspoiled nature it once was.

Through the spectrum of euphonic sound, resonating souls merge and dissipate like distant murmurations. Although for some, however much their distance may change, through the phenomena of love, they will remain forever bound.

Thank you, Mitch and Obi, for this beauty <3

Virtual Utopia 11: Daisy Records

Settled back in the UK after a long stint in Berlin, London chill-out devotee Lucy Cook treats us to one of her notoriously nostalgic blends, with meditative vocal swept soundscapes and smoky jazz lounge space dub fused with trip-hop cuts resurrected from obscure CDs from the 90s and 00s. Deeep mood exploration at its finest! 

@lucyscook

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what type of listening environment could you imagine it being enjoyed in? 

A. I put the mix together after a bright and productive start to the year. It’s somewhat reflective of my mood I guess, maybe not through the vibe of the tracks, but in the space around them. I’ve explored some deeper sounds in this one.. so maybe one for some introspective listening. 

I recently visited Japan too and was super inspired by how intentional everything is, with a focus on simplicity and quality. Stripping things back and consistency are new-ish themes in my personal life too, which feels really good.

Q.  Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. I really can’t choose, but there’s a couple of edits and things I made which feel special. I had fun layering some interesting vocal samples and weird sounds I’ve been collecting over the years, and created some bits with these which are peppered throughout. 

Quite a few of the tracks are CD rips from the 90’s and 2000’s, which is a method of digging I love. For me without it, so much amazing music wouldn’t be shared. There’s also one or two from friends’ labels Truffle101 and Sonido Chido which are really cool ones. It’s important to me to support those around me and get good music heard :)  

Q. I know you recently made the move back to London after some years living in Berlin, how's the transition been and what are a couple of your favourite UK parties or festivals that you're looking forward to reconnecting with this summer?

A. It took a little while to “arrive” here actually. I’m a pretty calm person and the energy is very different, but I’m feeling happy and at home here now. 

Electronic music wise, I went to Houghton for the first time last year and was blown away by the quality of the music, so I’m looking forward to being there again. Otherwise, I’m enjoying seeing more live musicians. There’s always a lot of great psychedelia, jazz, soul, and hip hop to see here, especially outdoors in the summer. Oh and number 1, Glastonbury!

MDC.307 Lucy Cook

we’re sorry we’ve been quiet , but good things come to those who wait 😘

our next mix is from the wonderful nina yamada , originally from japan and currently residing in london , the jazzy sport london boss shares two slow-paced hours of chillers 💕🤗
 
nina delicately led us through a hazey sunday afternoon at our last gathering , so it’s only right that our fourth mix comes from her 🙂‍↔️

artwork by ruby beddoe <3

sunday downtime 004 - nina yamada

The Tartan Records boss and equally boss DJ Wallace signs off on his recent stint down under with a mix packed with deep sea dubs and bumping 00s techy rollers. Based in England, and having previously run a string of club nights in Edinburgh, Wallace is a proud tartan enthusiast with a full tank of punchy dubwise grooves in his sporran, with plenty of nods to his UK roots here over a glorious hour and a bit full of chunky d-floor burners. Let's have it!

@wallacejimmygs

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. It’s been a pretty bruising winter back here in the UK but we’d just had our first smattering of sunshine when I came to putting this mix together. I think that shift—the changing seasons and the first signs of trees beginning to bloom in my hometown (as pictured)—definitely influenced the first part of the mix. The middle section leans more into the kind of stuff I’d play out, but I wanted to bring things to a softer landing toward the end. There’s certainly an outdoor feel to the selections so maybe a listening environment to match but equally I love music’s ability to transport us from our current states so bang it on indoors and see what happens.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. There’s a Steve O'Sullivan Dub early on which I recently found & it’s just a gloriously mixed and executed piece of dub techno. Towards the end another recent find by Argentinian producer Federico Molinari which to my ears sounds like a lost 80’s gem but was produced just last year. It's rare to hear a modern producer capture that classic vibe so authentically, without tipping into pastiche.

Q. You were just out here in Australia over the past weekend and from all reports the shows were on point! What kind of directions did you take people in during those sets, and how might the energy of your club sets differ from your mixes? 

A. Yes, so glad to have finally made it out here. Was a real joy to meet some lovely people in your scene and to get the chance to do my thing. Always revel in the challenge of playing in a new country as you’ve got to be on your toes to adapt but stay true to what you’re all about. I truly felt the warm Aussie welcome, so let’s call this mix a little parting gift to tide things over until next time x

MDC.310 Wallace

I had a niice buzz recently to record a mix! Here it is… I hope you enjoy the tripp ❣️ + ☮️

Spring Forward  🌱

For this episode we welcome the extraordinary talents of Aaron J, Brooklyn's Sure Thing record label and podcast founder, known for hosting an immense list of explorative modern techno artists from around the globe. Altering our consciousness for the first time in 2023 with a particularly awe inspiring set at Sustain-Release, Aaron's deeply considered and intricate approach is something of sheer beauty, and coupled with masterful technical ability, his inspiring DJ sets allow for fully immersive dancefloor experiences. 

Here Aaron explores the softer edges of his expansive sound palette, meditative soundscapes and tranquil IDM converging in total harmony for what he describes as a 'recalibration of the senses'. 

@arn_j
@sure_thing

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. Of all the mixes I’ve put together over the years, this one definitely feels the most vulnerable. The months I spent thinking about and working on this mix accompanied an intensely busy time in my life, and the process helped me stay in touch with the simple joy of listening as a way of stepping back and letting things go. There is a direct connection here between the music within and the emotions that live inside me. At the same time, I’ve tried my best to mix this as transparently as possible, so that the act of DJing takes a back seat and allows the music to take center stage.

The inspiration behind the tracks I chose and the story of the mix is one of finding balance, so I hope listening to it feels like a casting off of the present day and a recalibration of the senses. I’d love for people to listen to the mix in a setting where they feel most protected from the changes and stressors of the outside world, whether that be sitting outside in nature or laying on a couch surrounded by the comforts of home.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. There is a track in the mix by Autumn of Communion called “Goodbye PK” dedicated to the late Peter Kuhlmann, who many of your listeners will know as the legendary Pete Namlook of FAX +49-69/450464. It’s an immensely moving track that manages to convey both the tragedy of his loss and the depth of the beauty he left with the world, and I feel we’re so fortunate to have music and influences like this in our recent history. I included it early to set the tone of the rest of the mix, which is quite different than any I’ve done before, and to pay my respects to those who’ve inspired our scene from the very beginning.

Q. I was lucky enough to witness your set at Sustain-Release in 2023 and was in awe of your ability to practice restraint while steadily building up tension and energy in the set with such clinical and seamless execution. Is this part of the DJ craft something you spend a lot of time planning and refining?

A. That was such a life-changing moment for me, so I’m really glad you were there! You really nailed what I hoped to accomplish with that set, and I definitely spend a lot of time thinking about where my sets will begin, where I would like them to end up, and what sort of path I might take to get there. Understanding the minutiae of how a transition will affect someone’s state of mind and how to propel someone forward without jarring them back to reality is something I’m always working to improve on. That said, the upward trajectory is not always the most interesting one, and there are so many other ways of charting a course through a set that I hope to be able to explore. For the mix I’ve made for you, it’s not so much a set that builds energy as it is one that expands and contracts, hopefully in a gentle and purposeful way.

MDC.311 Aaron J

some new sounds for those long summer voyages …

yela is one of the minds behind oridoo , situated in antwerp - a person and party we consider family <3

an intrigued mind and detail wizard - welcome to yela’s wonderland 🤗

and another wonderful artwork created by ruby beddoe :-)

sunday downtime 005 - yela

Head of Furthur Electronix and a man with a collection that spans the entirety of the dance music landscape, UK digger extraordinaire Anil treats us to this unique downtempo trip.

https://www.instagram.com/furthurelectronix
https://m.soundcloud.com/furthur_elect0nix

Anil

Thrilled to be welcoming NAP aka Daniel Rincón to series, the CDMX based DJ and producer with a unique gift for capturing the wonky, hedonistic feels of the after-hours in his signature extended mix styles. Packed with sleazy twists and turns, there's never a dull moment with NAP at the wheel! Electro-fied highway rollers masterfully sliced and diced for that maximum long haul recharge! @napmusick

Q. What sounds/feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. I wanted to make a driving mix that featured a lot of vocals but in mutated and affected ways. Either as a centerpiece of the tune or via chops and sampling, the vocals carry a lot of the tension and thread of the mix which I wanted to balance across a mix of sleazy and dubby sounds. Perfect for a night drive or an afters with some bffs.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. Blacklight Sleaze (Dyed Soundorom Remix) by Peace Division’. I put it earlier in the mix as it's a bit of a fire starter in getting the mix boiling. This track is also an example of the use of the human voice in a classic but psychedelic/ experimental approach; many voices swirling around atop a sexy driving groove. 

Loose Control by Dino Lenny. Been playing this one a lot and I’d like to make mention to it because it hits a lot of the things that I like when playing a peacetime burner; driving arpeggiated Italo style baselines without being too garish, some dramatic silence drops that make you think the track stopped and then the use of the human voice as a melodic element displaced from language. 

Heart Misses - Heart Misses. This one is definitely in the pocket of  sassy/ minimal sleaze tune which encompasses the vibe of many of the other tracks in the mix as per the concept I had. Perhaps this one is also an evolution of my digging from having been really into electroclash growing up and playing a lot of that stuff across my DJ experience. This hits the reference points of that sound I grew up up with but perhaps actualized? More reduced, minimal but still sexy, driving, irreverent and trippy. 

Q. Tell us about the projects you’ve been most immersed in since moving to Mexico City, I know there’s a few!

A. Oh man, lots of collabs since I've been here! All a by product of new friendships and amazing connections I’ve made while being here. Stuff is still percolating and getting finished but Im very excited to put out new collab projects with Primordial Oh, Reedbriefcase and Tristan Arp; whenever the time is right. On the other hand I’ve also put the finishing touches on a collab project with my friend Pablo Arangoiz who I started jams with when he visited Mexico 4 years ago. Since then we’ve been working on a thesis on a specific type of experimental cumbia forward pieces which we’ve spent a lot of time and care on. 

As far as ACA, Phran and I have a lot of things on the pipeline which will hopefully get some releases this year. It's tough to get a lot of the projects we want to do out when we live in different places but we’re damn excited about all of them and aligning on getting a digi release out from Venezuelan Miniteca legend ‘El Mago. We also got some homie comps cooking up and some sassy merch coming up.

On the Ambien Baby tip, Soph and I have been jamming a lot every time we have the chance to but again, not living in the same place makes it a bit hard to wrap stuff up. Still the past year has yielded a lot of sick fire starter jams that hopefully we can zinch up before the end of the year. We also have a collaborative sound piece we made with our friend Florence Scott-Anderton some years ago for a show she had at the ICA some years ago. This one is a very dear collab for all 3 of us and I hope we can get it out before the end of year as well. Lots of stuff coming up and cooking up!

MDC.312 NAP

Introspective mind realignment from the deepest depths, Mike Buhl engages the senses with poise and purpose, lifting the spirit while carefully dialling up the pressure over two-plus hours of tension filled hypnotic techno and soaring interplanetary rhythms. 

@mike-buhl

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. My inspiration was driven by the urge to showcase lots of artists who have been on heavy rotation over the years. Somewhat cliche, but it was really important to blend genres and energies that represented every aspect of what I listen to, am inspired by alongside how and when they were experienced. Tracks I’ve loved listening to on my own, while entertaining friends, during lock in record nights and those tracks designed to be shared in public spaces and events. 
 
Finding a cohesive path through those different styles, genres and energies was the adventure in this mix. Distilling a sonic mountain of records into something that flowed seamlessly and translated well when listening back in all of those moments felt most authentic. A mix best consumed while moving, sharpening that assignment, at the tail end of a dinner party as the vibe shifts to next gear or while embracing the magic of a lock in with the crew. 

This has translated into snapshots, across a timeline stitched together from records new and old, capturing a weekend drive, early floors through to closed doors, spilling onto the street, the afterhours and beyond. Almost two and a half hours of ambient ear candy, arm chair burners, peak melters and thought provokers that attempt to relive moments and feelings from our past years listening, curating and creating electronic music.

Q. I know you’ve developed a close kinship with some modern pillars of the dub techno scene, mastering and editing .VRIL’s 2025 Edit of his classic tune ‘UV’ and being tasked with closing out his recent Melbourne show. Tell us how that connection came about, and what other studio projects have you got bubbling away that you’re excited to share?

A. I first reached out to .Vril ahead of a past tour to Australia. His music resonated with me so much that I wanted to meet him for a coffee. Since then, we’ve hung out a few times, shared music, and bounced some tracks off each other. It was an absolute highlight, when he asked to be a part of reshaping ‘UV’ and he's kindly returned serve with a remix for my follow up EP, 'Modern Explorer II' on local imprint Denude. We’ve had some very early conversations around a collaboration next time he’s out here and I would really like to continue pushing creativity here.

In the background, I've been spending a good amount of time in my studio. Focusing on creating for myself and helping others. Improving my abilities as a mix engineer has been a big focus and I’ve been fortunate enough to work on a number projects with artists locally and abroad. Whether that be mixing, providing creative direction, arrangement work or mastering. I really love working with others and often find it more enjoyable than working alone. In saying that, I’m building a volume of new music that needs an outlet and will focus on that over the next few months.

MDC.313 Mike Buhl

Welcoming one of our personal favourite's from the big apple! A positive conductor of all things deep and dreamy, NYC's @yibingg is a longtime resident on The Lot Radio with an impeccable ear for contemplative sonics, ever thoughtfully sliced and diced with a big signature smile :)

Time to hit recline and let Yibing tranquilify your mind.

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. I’ve always been drawn to uplifting sounds, but I also love deep, percussive music and melancholic minor key melodies, which I think there’s a lot of in this mix. Hopefully a nice journey to drift into and daydream with :)

I really wanted this mix to be a sort of homage to the sound of MDC and the AU music community (as I hear it), which I connect with deeply. I find it so playful, psychedelic and beautiful. It definitely took me a while to untangle this, especially knowing it was for one of the most goated series out there… One that’s inspired me time and time again.

Personally, my favorite place to test mixes is on my bike. Maybe not the safest spot to zone out, but it’s become part of my post recording ritual. 

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. Atone's "Lost & Found"! I became obsessed with Tonal Ocean's Atone Special after it aired on NTS last year. Atone is, of course, an Australian project from the mind of Andrew Fitzgerald. I've listened to that mix countless times. "Atonement" is really just such a perfect record to me.  

I played "Lost & Found" last year at a festival that Doc Tom and CZ Wang curated called In The Open. It's still one of my favorite sets I've ever played and a memory I will cherish forever... I felt people really locking in during it and I was surrounded by some of my closest friends too… Music & friendship - truly nothing better than it.

Q. Tell us about the evolution of Tranquilamente Radio on The Lot Radio, you play such a wide variety of beautiful music on the show, do you approach each show with a theme of sorts or just let things flow naturally?

A. It's wild to think that I've been involved with radio in one shape or another for over a decade at this point... Through so many changes, radio in its different iterations has remained the only constant.

When I started the show on The Lot Radio almost five years ago, it was deep during the pandemic and I wanted to foster a space for more laidback, at-home listening music. The inspiration for the title of the show was the Pacific Ocean - thinking about oceans as connectors of all these beautiful ~music waves~ around the world.

I have done some themed shows over the years - I do an indie rock special every year, as a nod to my roots and to what I was playing back at KCSB, a college radio station in California where everything started. I also did a Canto-pop special a while back with some music I grew up listening to. More recently, I did a Music From Memory special that I really enjoyed, using the opportunity to really dive deep into everything that's come out from that label. I definitely want to keep doing more of that.

I find it exciting that even though the show is pretty eclectic, it’s developed a sound of its own. I definitely have a predilection for weirdo, left-field music and I love that the show can be a platform where me and my guests are encouraged to explore different sounds beyond the club. I think doing the show has also taught me and motivated me over the years to bring that sound into my sets too.

MDC.307 Lucy Cook

Melbourne Deepcast

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